Electrical muscle stimulation after immediate nerve repair reduces muscle atrophy without affecting reinnervation

INTRODUCTION: Electrical stimulation of denervated muscle has been shown to minimize atrophy and fibrosis and increase force in animal and human models. However, electrical stimulation after nerve repair is controversial due to questions of efficacy. METHODS: Using a rat model, we investigated the efficacy of short-term electrical muscle stimulation for increasing reinnervation and preventing muscle atrophy. After tibial nerve transection and …